Customer Reviews

The Legacy

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If you're looking for something different in a historical romance, THE LEGACY may be for you. With rich, relatable characters, a fascinating -- and very different -- early German setting, and an intelligent plot, this book quickly drew me in and held me fast until I finished.

After escaping a convent (a daring plan from a real-life plot involving Martin Luther and a nun he later married), Baronesse Sabina von Ziegler goes to her adoptive father's castle to claim her inheritance. But the baron has other plans for Sabina's legacy, so he marries her off to Wolfgang Behaim, a widowed printer who's coerced into the deal. Though both are initially unwilling, their marriage of necessity slowly and believably evolves into a real one, against a backdrop of religious upheaval and a deadly peasant revolt.

I never imagined I could enjoy learning about sixteenth-century Germany, but that's the gift of a good historical -- and exactly what will have me watching eagerly for T.J. Bennett's next book, THE PROMISE, in May 2009.

Very highly recommended.

TJ Bennett's premier novel is an unqualified joy to read. Set during Martin Luther's reformation movement of the 1500's, the historical research never intrudes on the story, but serves only to add texture to the setting; background for the heroine's struggle and goal.

The writing is so tight, each and every one of the four hundred fifty-five pages seems to fly by.

Banished to a convent by her step-father, as many `inconvenient' women were in that day, the Baronesse escapes and returns to claim an inheritance left her by her mother. She wants only that. Her plan is to establish a place for others like herself; nuns who hadn't the calling, but who were pressed into service against their will. A farm where they could be self-sufficient and live in peace, perhaps.

Instead, she's thrown into the dungeon and tortured by the man who'd raised her, until she agrees to an arranged marriage...to a commoner. Still, she begs only her inheritance, her legacy, unaware her evil parent has bartered it.

Master Behaim needs funds to settle his dead father's debts, but more than that, he needs the Baron to keep what else he knows to himself. Blackmail is hardly grounds for a solid marriage, but he would protect his father's name. He'd fulfill his part in this devil's bargain then allow the woman to return to her cloister.

TJ is a uniquely skilled writer. The story is rich with character, plot and intrigue. And of course, romance! Don't miss it!

When Baronesse Sabina von Ziegler escapes from the convent in which her stepfather, Baron von Ziegler, had her imprisoned after a youthful indiscretion, all she wants is to collect the legacy left her by her mother. She has plans for that money. Unfortunately, so does the Baron. Sabina finds herself imprisoned once more, this time in von Zeigler's dungeon, starved and beaten until she agrees to marry a commoner of his choosing.

Wolf Behaim, a hard-working and successful printer, a still-grieving widower with a small daughter, and the grandson of peasants, is no more eager to marry than Sabina is, but Baron von Ziegler has made him an offer he can't refuse, not without revealing a secret that will destroy his family.

Hardly a solid foundation for marriage, even in 1525, but Sabina and Wolf's predicament leads them to discoveries about each other, about themselves, and about the secrets that haunt their pasts, discoveries that will either change their lives or break their hearts.

Sabina and Wolf are strong, engaging, well-drawn characters who will pull you into their story, set against the early days of the Reformation in Germany. If you enjoy historical romance in which the history matters, you will certainly love The Legacy.

The Legacy is TJ Bennett's excellent debut novel. I'm already looking forward to her next book from Medallion, The Promise, the story of Wolf's soldier-brother, Günter. I hope the third Behaim brother, Peter, will be back with his own tale, too.

THE LEGACY - T. J. Bennett
Medallion Press, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1933836362
April 2008
Historical Romance
Wittenberg, Electoral Saxony (Germany) - 1525

The dungeon is dark and cold. She's hungry. She hasn't eaten for five, or is it six days? Chained to the stone walls, imprisoned like an animal, the Baronesse Sabina von Ziegler is held captive by her stepfather. No one knows she's there, deep in the dank, damp recesses of his castle, and the Baron has promised she will stay his captive until she either starves to death or agrees to marry a man he has chosen for her. Sabina is strong. She has to be after nine years of imprisonment in a convent where the Baron left her following an impetuous marriage to a rake. But Sabina finally escaped and came for what is rightfully hers -- an inheritance of gold left her by her mother. The Baron has no intention of giving Sabina the gold. He would rather see her dead, especially after she cost him the life of his only son and heir. Finally, Sabina makes the bargain the Baron has forced her into, she will marry Wolfgang Behaim. But first, she wants her inheritance. Baron von Ziegler is no fool, and he agrees. But he lies. His signature on their contract means nothing. Sabina will never get one speck of her gold.

The last thing Wolf Behaim wants is a wife, but he agrees to marry the Baron's stepdaughter, sight unseen, to save his family from ruin. He's made a devil's bargain, and Baron von Ziegler will never let Wolf forget that he's beholden to him. Likewise, Sabina is forced into a marriage she does not want, and she vows this union will never be consummated. And as soon as she regains her strength, she'll collect her gold and be gone from this man's sight and his household. However, from the moment Wolf and Sabina meet, every contact ignites a smoldering passion they feel in each other's presence. Even though both of them deny the spark of interest they feel, it's only their strength of will that prevents their obsession from becoming full blown.

THE LEGACY Sabina von Ziegler is entitled to might never be hers to call her own, not if her stepfather the Baron has his way. Forced into this marriage against her will, she has unwittingly signed her inheritance over to her new husband, Wolf Behaim, who has his own reasons for allowing the evil Baron von Ziegler to blackmail him into marrying Sabina. Secrets are kept on both sides in this thrilling and emotional tapestry of love and betrayal. The Behaim family servants, Franz and Bea; Wolf's brothers, Peter and Gunter; and Wolf's daughter, Giselle, make up the majority of immediate secondary characters that are fully drawn and vibrant.

Set in the volatile era of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther's rebellion against Catholic doctrine, the beginnings of mechanized printing presses, and the end of the feudal system, new author T. J. Bennett's debut novel is an extraordinary look into a fervent time in history, where romance is rare and true love is still powerful.

Diana Risso, Romance Reviews Today

Set in sixteenth century Germany, THE LEGACY tells the story of Sabina, a former nun and Wolf, a printer. Wolf's a widower forced into marriage with Sabina in order to pay his family's ruinous debts. Both Sabina and Wolf have suffered heartbreak in the past and must learn to move forward and trust again. Their love story is touching and well-told. The historical and political backdrop for this story is an unusual and intriguing one for a romance. The religious reforms begun by Martin Luther play an important part in the tale, as does the Peasants' Revolt of 1524. This is a great book for readers who love historicals but are getting a little tired of the done-to-death Regency era!

In her debut novel, TJ Bennett writes a sweeping historical romance set in 1525 Wittenberg, Germany. At the time of Martin Luther and the Protestant reformation, Baronesse Sabina von Ziegler is married against her will to Wolfgang Behaim, a commoner. What follows is an emotional and dramatic tale of deceit, lust, and finally true love. Pitted against each other, the Baronesse and the virile print shop owner, Wolf, discover the depth of their passion as they uncover the malicious scheme of her stepfather to use her inheritance to blackmail Beheim on his own father's behalf. This is a touching love story with a hint of humor, a dollop of deceit, a pinch of adventure, a full serving of romance, and a satisfying slice of justice. Put it all together, and you have a truly delicious read!

The Legacy is TJ Bennett's debut novel but it reads like that of a seasoned author. There was nothing I didn't like.
The author deftly wove the history of 1525 Germany, in all it's dark reality, through a passionate story of a forced marriage between a commoner and a noblewoman. The hero and heroine deal with their own secrets and the ghosts of their past, along with the evil machinations of the heroine's greedy father. They begin to like then respect each other. As their love deepens they must risk exposing their truths and losing the other's love.
The author crafted two wonderful, larger than life characters from different backgrounds who believably overcame their differences and bonded through common values. Their's truly was a love story I won't soon forget.

Amazing debut title from a talented writer.

The Legacy is an entertaining historical romance that follows the heroine (Baronesse Sabina von Ziegler) after her escape from the convent where her adoptive father has had her imprisoned following a brief un-sanctioned marriage to a con-man, and the resulting scandal.

The plot, based on a true story, follows one woman's escape from a convent in Germany during the religious unrest begun by Martin Luther's split from the Roman Catholic Church.

Sabrina's well thought out escape from the convent only serves to place her back with her now very angry adoptive father, who tricks her into marriage with Wolfgang Behaim, a middle-class printer who is having his own issues with the abrupt and sometimes cruel changes to traditions that have held him bound.

Lies, tradition, war, conflicting dreams and raging passion are twined together as Sabina and Wolfgang race to uncover the mysteries surrounding the Baron's evil manipulations before they themselves are destroyed.

This was a book worth reading, a capitvating story that left this reader eagerly awaiting the promised sequel due out later this year.

The Legacy, a historical romance, is a marriage of convenience story, but it is unlike the contemporary incarnation of this romance standard. T. J. Bennett has crafted a story that is reminiscent of the depth historical romances once had years ago. In recent years, that depth of character and story in many cases has taken a back seat to increased sexuality and eroticism. The extra spice, though pleasurable in and of itself, has come at the expense of big, bold stories.

Like many fans of the historical romance genre, I want it all - the sensuality AND the big story peopled with memorable characters who are multi-dimensional, conflict-ridden, and driven to sometimes desperate action.

In The Legacy you'll get that. In fact, the uniqueness of this story is evident from the first page when you see below the chapter heading: "Anno Domini 1525, Wittenberg, Electoral Saxony."

Yes, it's set in feudal Germany just after Martin Luther had begun publishing his reformation writings.

Baronesse Sabina von Ziegler, a former nun, is a ruined woman forced by her vengeful stepfather into an arranged marriage with a commoner, widower Wolfgang Behaim.

Each has been betrayed by Sabina's stepfather. Each has secret plans to bring to fruition. Neither plan to consummate the marriage. Yet, fate and desire have a way of interfering with the best laid plans, as we all know.

Set against the violent backdrop of a peasants' revolt and religious upheaval, T. J. Bennett has crafted an uncommon historical romance, and it is uncommonly good.

This novel is absolutely refreshing. The setting is unique, Germany at the time of Martin Luther's Wittenberg Theses. Heroine Baronesse Sabina von Ziegler is bold and daring but above all she is kind. Hero Wolfgang Behaim is a commoner forced to marry former cloister resident Sabina. Together they must overcome their mistrust and hurt.

Sabina's stepfather has blackmailed Wolf into wedding Sabina. He has no intention of keeping her as his bride. He is a widower with a daughter and he is still in love with his former wife. Sabina is forced into marriage through starvation and cruelty. She totally feels betrayed by her stepfather. Her one salvation is that there is an inheritance coming her way after she marries. She hopes to annul the marriage and open a refuge for former nuns, who follow the teachings of Martin Luther. Little does she know that her husband has given the inheritance back to her stepfather.

This is a smart novel on so many levels. Firstly Sabina and Wolf really like each other and the author shows this in little ways. Secondly they are respectful to each other even when they differ on religious teachings. Thirdly the sexual tension in the novel is well paced and believable. Lastly the history of Martin Luther's reformation and the peasant uprisings are interwoven into the story without losing the romance and passion of Wolf and Sabina's marriage.

Wolf fights his feelings from the start but just cannot help himself. Sabina recognizes that she can make a life with Wolf if he would only live in the present. I highly recommend this novel and am eagerly awaiting the next novel in this series.